Tony Parker: Gregg Popovich Has Made Me Cry Before

Oct 19, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (left) talks with point guard Tony Parker (right) during a timeout in the second quarter against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Gregg Popovich isn’t one of the easiest-going coaches in the NBA, that’s no surprise. But is he hard enough on players to get them into the breaking point of tears?

According to a “younger” Tony Parker, yes. He admitted in an interview with ESPN, that during his rookie season Popovich made him cry a couple times. Aw.

"[via ESPN]“Oh yeah,” Parker said when asked if Pop ever made him cry. “A couple times during my rookie year it was tough because he’s a tough coach to play for. He’s very demanding. Now he’s got better, he’s more like easy, but back in the day he was like really tough.”"

I guess it was all for the best?

Parker says that Pop has gotten “more like easy”, but to most he’s still pretty demanding. I can’t even imagine what he’s like behind closed doors. If he’s like this in front of the camera, imagine what he’s like when the camera’s are off — especially on a young rookie guard from France.

You can see the entire ESPN interview with Parker here: